Improvement in gate-latches



. G. SIIEPARD &. P. ADAMS; .Ir. Gate-Latchs.

N0.56,44. V Patented Oct. 20,1874.

NI1ED STAIES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. SHEPARD AND PETER ADAMS, JR., OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS T0 JOHN D. SHEPARD, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN GATE-LATCHES.

Specificaticn forming part of Letters Patent No. 156.044, dated October 20, 1874; application filed July 11, 1874.

T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that We, C. G. SHEPARD and PETER ADAMS, J r., of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw- 1ngs.

The nature of onr invention consists in s0 constructing the case or housing of thelatch that it can be made with a plate or bearing on opposite sides of the latch, with a flange at right angles to be secured to the front edge of the gateall in one pieceand be cast complete With the screw-holes therein; and in combining therewith a reversible latch, so that the dcvice can be used either as a right or left hand latch, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Figure 1 is a front view of the latch and its case. Fig. 2 is a reverse view of the same; Fig. 3, an edge view of the same, taken at right angles to Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are side and front views, respectively, of the catch.

The latch D is made of the form represented in the drawings, the wide end being intendcd to engage with the catch, while the narrow or rear end serves as a handle. Near its center it has a notch formed in its under edge, and in front thereof it has a depending arm or spur, 0, as shown in Fig. 3, this spur hein g of such a length that when the latch is in place the point of this spur wiil strike against the case, as shown in Fig. 3, and thns prevent its front end, which is heavier than its rear end, from dropping toc 10W clown. The case A, in which the latch is to be used, consists of a rectangular concave body or plate, having an opening through it, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the remaining or closed portion B having a stud, c, projecting from its nnder or inner face, as represented in Fig. 2, on which the latch D rests as on a pivot.

The rear portion 11. of the case is enough lower than the part B on its face to permit the latch L0 be inserted under the part B, and out over or in front of the part n, as shown in Fig. 1, there being an opening, l, at the front edge of the case for the latch D t0 protrude through, as shown in Fig. 3. Throngh the portion B of the case are made two screw-holes, o, Figs. 1 and 2, and these are so located in reference to the stud e that, when the latch D is inscrted in the case and rests on the stud, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a screw inserted in the hole above the latch Will prevcnt the latch from being displaced; and, as the stnd 6 is in the center, and the two holes 0 are equidistant therefrom, it is obvious that the case may be used either side up, thns making the latch reversible, so as to fit equally on a right or left hand gate.

A fiange, G, projects -at right angles from the front edge, as shown in Fig. 3, in which there are several screw-holes, so that it can be fastened to the gate on its face, and also on its edge.

It is obvious that this fiange 0 may be dispensed With; but I prcfcr to make it With the fiange, as it is stronger and better.

By the peculiar formation of the case Ait can be cast complete Wth the screw-holes therein, the stud e being set, at an angle, nearly midway between the planes of the part B and the flange 0, t0 permit it to be readily drawn from the mold, it being also made conical for that purposc.

The catch consists of a baseplatc, I, pro vided With screw-holes, as represented in Fig. 5, from which projects a double or spear headed catch, L, as shown in Fig. 4. This head L has a notch both above and below for the catch t0 engage in, so that it, too, can be turned eithcr side up, and thus used on the right or left hand With eqnal facility.

If desired, this may also be formed with a flan ge at right angles to the plate I, t0 secnre it more firmly to the post, the same as shown on the case A.

By this mode of construction We arc enabled to produce a gate-latch that is very light and strong, that is reversible, and can be cast complete withont any ocres.

Having thns described onr invention, what we claim is- The case A, having the back plate n, front plate B, and flange G, constructed substantially as described, whereby the whole can be cast in one piece With the screw-holes 00m plete, as set forth.

CHARLES G. SHEPARD. PETER ADAMS, JR.

Witnesses J AMES WINSHIP, I. J. DOUW. 

